“Sometimes, you must first endure hardships before perfect joy arrives .” R.A. Kartini.
This quote from our national hero perfectly describes how an Indonesian child continues to fight for her dream. Kalya Mahiya Pravina spent years of her young life working on her dancing technique. Now, she is acknowledged as a young master of traditional Indonesian dances in multiple international competitions.
Thanks to her,Indonesia’sreputation has been much strengthened. We of the Independent Observer are proud to had the opportunity to talkwith Kalya,right after herrecent journey to Paris: “I have just received my second UNESCO CID Internation al Certificate in France,” she informed us. “Last year, in March 2022, I received a similar certificate for my dance.”
In 2022, Kalya scored multiple dancing achivements, under the auspices of Kiny Cultura Indonesia and the Gema Citra Nusantara Dance Troupe, led by Ms. Mira Arismunandar. Her many competitive victories include winning the 1st Prize in the Portugal Art Carnival for the Solo Folk Dance category, for the 13-14 year age range. She alsowonthe 1st Prize in the International Solo Traditional Folk Dance Category for the 11-14 year age range in the “Welcome to Canada” online festival, held in Toronto, Canada, the 1st-Place Winner in theAlpus Cup Renaissance Traditional Dance Competition, and the 1st Prize in the “Under the Hot UEA Sun” International Folk Dance and Music Online Competition in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
In recognition of her many achievements , UNESCO’ s International Dance Council ( Conseil International de la Danse – “CID”) awarded Kalya a second international certificate in March 2023. The CID, established in 1973 under the UNESCO in Paris, is an offcial UNESCO partner organization that oversees all types of dancing, across the globe. Its members are dancing federations, associations, schools, companies, and individuals in more than 170 countries.
In Paris, Kalya received a Level 5 Cerfification from the CID. But why? “Because I have earned by levels 1-4 certificate by participating in many dance trainings and competitions, both for group and solo categories,” said the eighth grader at the Al Izhar Islamic Middle School, Pondok Labu, Jakarta.
The requirement for obtaining a Level 1 CID International Certificate is having participated in 150 hours of training. Kalya completed hers just before winning a competition as part of the Gema Citra Nusantara Dance Troupe in the LIangollen International Musical Eisteddfod Competition, Children International Folk Dance Group category, in Llangollend, Wales, United Kingdom on 3 July 2019.
CID Level 2 International Certification requirement is a further 150 hour training, which Kalya satisfied as she wom the Traditional Folk Dance Solo 1st Prize during the Portugal Art Carnival international online competition, 25 January 2022.
Participating in a 150-hour training will get one the Level 3 CID International Certificate, which kalya secured as she won 1st Prize at the “ Under The Hot UAE Sun” International Online Competition, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, along side the Gema Citra Nusantara Dance Troupe, on 25 September 2022.
A further 150 hours of training is requi red for the level 4 CID International Certificate, and Kalya completed it as she worked her way into winning the 1st Prize for the Group Traditional Folk Dance
category, with the Al Izhar Pondok Labu Islamic Middle School dance troupe, during the Portugal Art Festival international online competition, 25October 2022. Finally, Kalya satisfied the 150 hour training requirement for the Levek 5 CID Certificate, as she worked towards winning the 1st Prize for the Folkdance Solo Category inthe “Welcome to Canada”international online competition, on 30 October 2022. Despite all the achievementsshe made in such a tender age, Kalya humbly declared thatis has been an honor for her to raise Indonesia’s reputation in the world. As trust worthy and reliable soul, she always strives to perform all her responsibilities to the utmost. “I am grateful, proud, and happy,” she declared. Kalya has been able to make consistent achievements. What’s the secret? “It is because I want to do and give my best all the time.I always put my passion in my practice, as I love every step of the process I undergo,” she said.
Kalya simply loves to dance. She h a s participated in dancing competitions since Kindergarten, becoming more serious about it since 3rd grade of elementary school. “By dancing, I get to express myself, my soul and feelings – while helping my nation’s reputation at the same time. I realize my dreams through dancing, ”she declared. Despite her many achievements and accolades,
Kalya does not rest on her laurels. On the contrary, she is spurred to continue improving her abilities in creating more works and achieving more in the future for her beloved Indonesia. Therefore, she is telling fellow Indonesian youngsters to continue developing their potentials: “Love everything you do! Keep to your daily practice, take part in as many competitions as you can, keep on developing yourself and benefit as many people as possible. Be proudof yourself! I, Kalya Mahiya Pravina, am a proud Indonesian child,”she declared.
Kalya is really a next generation Kartini for Indonesia – she is
indomitable in the pursuit of her dreams. Inview of her achievements, let me close this tale by making another quote from our hero of women’s emancipation: “ No matter when, women’s progress is an important factor in our nation’s civilization .”- R.A. Kartini
